Nicolò Bulega seemed destined for a seat in MotoGP, but the situation now appears to be complicating drastically.
Nicolò Bulega looks unstoppable. He is currently dismantling the 2026 World Superbike Championship with a clinical efficiency that has left his rivals in the dust. After back-to-back hat-tricks at Phillip Island and Portimao, the Italian seems to be playing a different game entirely. Yet, despite his “alien” form and his vital role as a development rider for Ducati’s new 850cc era, his path to the 2027 MotoGP grid is becoming a political and logistical nightmare.
The roadmap for “Bubi” seemed perfect. Ducati tapped him to test the 850cc prototype last year, leaning on his deep knowledge of Pirelli tires. He even braved a baptism by fire at the end of 2025, stepping in for an injured Marc Marquez at Portimao and Valencia. While two 15th-place finishes might not look like much on paper, his pace at the subsequent Valencia test told the real story: he was instantly as fast as the factory regulars.
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More telling was the subsequent official test in Valencia, where Bulega instantly matched the pace of the factory Ducati riders. Everything pointed toward a promotion, especially given the raw talent Nicolò has displayed throughout his career at the highest levels.
Is Ducati “Full Up”? No room for “Bubi”
The reality is that the Desmosedici GP seats for 2027 are almost entirely spoken for. Marc Marquez is confirmed in the factory squad alongside the arriving Pedro Acosta from KTM. Pecco Bagnaia has already announced his move to Aprilia, while Di Giannantonio and Aldeguer will take over the VR46 garage.
Over at Gresini Racing, losing both current riders – with Aldeguer heading to VR46 and Alex Marquez to KTM – the team is set to welcome Moto2 sensation Daniel Holgado. For the second seat, Enea Bastianini’s name is circulating with increasing intensity. This leaves five out of six seats assigned, with the sixth far from being an open door.
Bulega’s manager, Alberto Martinelli, has provided a blunt assessment of the situation: as of today, there is no written offer on the table. Nicolò is not the primary choice—otherwise, as Martinelli notes, the deal would be done by now. “Extra-sporting” factors are also at play, such as the nationality balance that the MotoGP paddock often prioritizes during market shifts, a factor that can sideline even the most technically gifted riders.
For now, there is no Plan B. As long as the door remains even slightly ajar, the goal remains unchanged. The dream is alive, but time is of the essence and the market waits for no one – not even the man currently dominating World SBK.
Photo: Ducati Corse
